EVACUATION SIMULATION on DECEMBER 26, 2005

EVACUATION SIMULATION on DECEMBER 26, 2005
Evacuation Simulation of Tsunami in City of Padang, December 26, 2005
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Tsunami disaster December 26, 2005 still leaves deepest commemoration for people in the world, especially for places that have been hit by that killed tidal waves. It was 220,000 dead victims in that tragedy, mostly Indonesia people who were living in Aceh. We could never forget because it just happened. No body in Aceh knew that wave as Tsunami. It was not astonishing at all as history of Tsunami recurrence once in a couple of centuries. There was no information from ancestor to the next generation, different with Simeulue Island that parents always sing a song to remind their kids about signs of Tsunami that they called “smonk.

People of Padang do not want to follow the misstep to face disaster as what happen in Aceh and learn from Simeuleu, so they prepare themselves to reduce the risk that might be caused by that disaster. People who gather in KOGAMI run evacuation simulation again for the fourth time on December 26, 2005. This simulation has little difference with others because officials from ministry of research and technology and from LIPI directly collaborated with KOGAMI in preparing this National event.

This simulation was not only to commemorate last year Tsunami but also to motivate other dangerous places to prepare their communities to face that killed disaster. We hope Padang that is pointed as Pilot Project for Tsunami Early Warning System (TEWS) can play its role well. Regarding these purposes, TVRI (Nasional TV of Indonesia) presented the examination of entire EWS live and exclusively.

Evacuation simulation process was preceded by prayed together that was lead by President Bambang Susilo Yuhdhoyono from Ulele Aceh through teleconference. Then, BMG (Geophysics and Meteorology Bureau) Jakarta explained about mechanism of EWS followed by detecting earthquake that has potential to generate Tsunami in West Sumatra. BMG immediately sent signal of evacuation to mayor of Padang.

Minister of Research and Technology that attended evacuation simulation observed the teleconference between those three cities seriously. After got signal, mayor rapidly gave command to Chief of Operational Command through VHF FM transceiver radio to run disaster SOP and turn on the siren that was followed by other sirens at the mosques.

Officials and vehicles went to their appropriate positions based on the duties while people went out of houses and brought survival kits in bag that already prepared. The unable persons such as handicaps, pregnant women, old persons and children were delivered by their relatives and neighbors to transportation zones. Officials took them and brought them to relocation zones.

People and officials run this simulation seriously as if the disaster was really happening. Police, civil police, and transportation department cleared the way that would be passed by refugees and guided them to the relocation zones. Volunteers of KOGAMI were enthusiastic to aim the refugees through the route that had been made by people themselves. Medical team and firemen that was helped by Scout and Youth treated the victims efficiently. At the same time, military, PMI, women and other organizations had been preparing refuge camp and all need in the relocation zones.

Soon the refugees reached the tents; their data was collected by administration staff. Minister of Research and Technology, Vice governor and the party had been waiting them in the relocation zones and observed victims that had medication and gave motivation to people of Padang to keep doing simulation because West Sumatra, particularly Padang is located on the plates that can crash at anytime and generate Tsunami.

After receiving short information from command staff, people went back home. Minister and party also left the location. From the observation, we could know that there were 10.000 people involved in this simulation. All components played their roles greatly. However, KOGAMI will always need to evaluate for getting better system in reducing of disaster impact. KOGAMI realized that it is not easy to build the synergy and maintain the continuity. We optimize that supporting from many elements will helped us to do many good things and give safety needs for people/community.